Coaches Report Reserves and League

Round 17 – Reserves

This week our focus was centred around responding to last weeks performance. As a coaching group we placed a strong emphasis on reviewing and educating the playing group. It was a great week preparing, the players were engaged, reflective, and clear on the adjustments needed to move forward.

We started the game exceptionally well, setting the tone early with our hunger for the contest and a strong focus on team-first defence. It was pleasing to see our group bring the intent we had spoken about during the week. For the first time in three seasons, our reserves team held an opposition goalless in a quarter – a fantastic defensive effort that lifted the group and reinforced the importance of our system.

We had 16 inside 50s in the opening term, reflecting our territorial dominance, though we couldn’t quite capitalise on the scoreboard. Dylan Bramich set the tone around the ball, displaying his league-level quality. His work gave our midfield first use and allowed us to set up effectively behind the ball. Dylan finished the game with an impressive 15 disposals, 7 marks, 19 hit outs, and 7 inside 50s.

As expected, Norwood responded in the second quarter, kicking three goals and taking a narrow lead into half-time. All of Norwood’s goals came from turnovers, reinforcing the message to our group that if we could clean up our ball use, we would remain in control of the contest. This round we welcomed back Hamish Ellem from injury, his presence added maturity and composure to our back half. Hamish’s aerial work and precise ball use were instrumental in our ability to rebound and transition effectively. He finished with 17 disposals, 4 marks, 3 clearances, and 9 rebound 50s.

Trailing by 27 points at three-quarter time, the message was clear – be brave, trust our system, and take the game on. We asked the players to bring the same pressure they applied in the first quarter and shift momentum through repeat forward entries. To the boys credit, they responded. We increased our intensity and forced Norwood into errors, generating 10 inside 50s and converting three goals from turnover. We finished the game with a season-high 45 inside 50s, highlighting our growth in ball movement and offensive structure. Harvey Bock stood out in his second game back from injury with his composure with ball in hand and relentless pressure, which set the standard for his teammates. Harvey ended with 18 disposals, 9 marks, and 4 tackles in a performance that demonstrated both class and leadership.

While the result didn’t go our way, we managed a 51-point improvement against the same opponent from last week. The group showed a clear ability to absorb feedback, implement learnings, and execute under pressure, which are indicators of both individual and team development.

Our purpose remains clear, to develop players into league footballers. This week we took another step forward in that regard, with Jonty Koehne making his league debut. We remain committed to our process and look forward to the challenges that lie ahead in the last two rounds of the season.

Best Players Hamish Ellem, Harvey Bock, Dylan Bramich

Goal Kickers

Liam Delahunty (3)

Lachlan Tredwell, Paddy O’Donoghue, Harrison Barker

Ben Hardy

Interim Reserves Coach

Round 17 – League

In an enthralling display, West Adelaide went down by 1 point to Norwood at Coopers Stadium on Saturday.

The game held significance for Riverland product Jonti Koehne, who became the clubs 1508^th player in his debut match. Koehne’s rise to league football is a testament to the work put in from his parents Lisa and Steve, the Loxton North Sports Club, and to our development coaches who have helped him develop as a talented player and person.

We began the match with a strong appetite for the contest and were rewarded in a promising first quarter. Skipper Isaac Johnson crumbed a ground ball to kick the first for the day and wingman Dylan McCormick (15 disposals, 1 goal) started to generate a lot of forward 50 entries. Lachie Squire (20 disposals, 6 tackles) and Brady Searle (16 disposals, 7 I50s, 1 goal) continued their strong form around the contest and were crucial in getting the game on our terms early. Tall forwards Tom Scully (9 disposals, 3 goals) and Riley Corbett (17 disposals, 18 hit outs, 4 marks, 1 goal) started to impose themselves in the air and took their opportunities to kick goals, setting up a 1-goal lead going into the first break.

The second quarter saw a similar trend as the first. Giant ruck Caleb May (18 disposals, 35 hit outs, 4 marks, 1 goal) provided our midfielders first possession and defenders Tom Morrish (20 disposals, 3 tackles, 10 rebound 50s), Jonti Schuback (13 disposals, 3 tackles, 4 rebound 50s), and Will Patton (10 disposals, 7 marks, 7 tackles) repelled a number of Norwood’s entries. At the other end, Ned Stevens showed his talent, slotting a classy goal from the boundary and Tasmanian recruit Harvey Griffiths kicked a goal out of mid-air to help us hold an advantage. Two more goals to Scully and May set up a 2-goal lead going into the main break.

After half-time we expected Norwood to respond. They kicked 4 goals to our 3 goals in what was panning out to be a tight, contested match. Norwood’s spread from the contest created opportunities for them to score while our tall forwards continued to create scoring chances for us. Scully drew a free kick from a long penetrating kick inside 50 from Lachie Squire to kick his third goal for the day and Griffiths combined with Corbett to create an opportunity for Cade Kennedy (8 disposals, 6 tackles, 2 goals) to mark and kick truly for his first goal. Norwood countered with 4 goals of their own but Scully and youngster Joel Parker split a contest to release Searle who kicked a crucial goal to cut the margin to 1-point going into the final break.

Both teams had opportunities in the last quarter, kicking three-goals apiece. Within the first 2-minutes, Dylan McCormick cleaned up a crumb off the pack and snap his second off the opposite leg and Parker had another huge moment, taking a contested mark before winning a 25-meter penalty, bringing him within range. Our leaders composed Parker who went back to kick truly and keep us in touch. In a final roll of the dice, big man Corbett took a strong contested mark on the wing and quickly found Morrish at half forward. Morrish released Parker who then found Kennedy in space to kick truly, cutting the margin to 1 point, with 7 seconds to go. In the final centre bounce for the match, May took the ball out of the ruck and launched the ball inside 50 but the siren sounded as we made our final play to try and win the match, putting an end to an entertaining contest.

We draw enormous confidence out of a game where we won clearance, hit outs, tackle, and first possession, and generated another 44 inside 50s. We also posted our highest score for the season. We look forward to testing ourselves against ladder leader Sturt back home at Hisense on Saturday.

Best Players  Caleb May, Brady Searle, Riley Corbett

Goal Kickers

Tom Scully 3

Cade Kennedy 2

Harvey Griffiths, Isaac Johnson, Brady Searle 1.1

Riley Corbett, Caleb May, Dylan McCormick, Joel Parker, Ned Stevens 1

Sam Elliott

Interim League Coach